Method and system for determining automotive convertible top operating characteristics
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGregory Alan Conner, Gregory J. Grudzinski
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Abstract
A system for measuring an automotive convertible top operating parameter, such as the amount of force required to operate the convertible top, includes a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position. The pulldown actuator is equipped with position and force transducers. A controller which operates the pulldown actuator records the operational position of the top, as well as the force required to close the top.
Claims14
A system for measuring the amount of force required to operate a convertible top for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position;
- a position transducer, operatively associated with said pulldown actuator, for measuring the travel of said convertible top;
- a force transducer, operatively associated with said pulldown actuator, for measuring the force exerted by said pulldown actuator upon said top;
- and
- a controller for recording said measured travel and said force exerted by said pulldown actuator.
A method for determining the force required to close a convertible top, comprising the steps of:
- attaching a pulldown actuator to a portion of the top corresponding to a manual gripping location;
- moving the top from an open position to a closed position by means of the pulldown actuator;
- and
- measuring the travel of the top and the corresponding force exerted by the pulldown actuator upon the top as the top is moved to the closed position.
A system for determining an operating characteristic of a convertible top for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a gripper for grasping a handhold mounted to a convertible top;
- a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position;
- a flexible, inextensible member having a first end attached to said gripper and a second end attached to said pulldown actuator;
- a position transducer, operatively associated with said pulldown actuator, for measuring the travel of said convertible top;
- a characteristic transducer, operatively associated with said pulldown actuator, for measuring a convertible top operating parameter as the convertible top is moved from one position to another;
- and
- a controller for operating said pulldown actuator and for recording a plurality of corresponding values of said measured travel and said measured operating parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.